INTERESTED IN BECOMING A BEEKEEPER?
Keeping Honey Bees as a hobby or business is a fascinating undertaking!
Practiced responsibly and with some basic knowledge you can enjoy the age old tradition of Beekeeping. Keeping Honey Bees can at first seem complicated and expensive. If you have little to no Honey Bee knowledge and own little to none of the needed equipment, it can involve some initial capital expense as well intellectual capital.
Since Honey Bees are living organisms that can sting, they must be handled with care by someone with some basic knowledge. The ISBA recommends individuals interested in Beekeeping, follow the steps listed below, prior to actually starting your first colony of Honey Bees.
It is best to spend at least one year preparing for your Beekeeping adventures so that you may begin your new hobby the next Spring.
Practiced responsibly and with some basic knowledge you can enjoy the age old tradition of Beekeeping. Keeping Honey Bees can at first seem complicated and expensive. If you have little to no Honey Bee knowledge and own little to none of the needed equipment, it can involve some initial capital expense as well intellectual capital.
Since Honey Bees are living organisms that can sting, they must be handled with care by someone with some basic knowledge. The ISBA recommends individuals interested in Beekeeping, follow the steps listed below, prior to actually starting your first colony of Honey Bees.
It is best to spend at least one year preparing for your Beekeeping adventures so that you may begin your new hobby the next Spring.
By following these steps, you are more likely to be successful, safe and responsible to your Honey Bees and truly enjoy your new hobby!
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Read, Read and Read - There has been more written about Honey Bees than any other insect!
As a result, there are numerous, excellent books written to assist you in beginning your hobby of Beekeeping. Your base of knowledge needs to start here. You will then build on this base at local ISBA meetings, with your new Beekeeping friends as well as with hands-on experience later in your education. After you start your reading, you can share your questions and concerns with other local beginners as well as veterans. Beekeepers are generally friendly people of all ages who are passionate about talking about Honey Bees. Enjoy and participate in our many associations and clubs! You will gain much knowledge from these Beekeepers. Many associations have monthly meetings that contain demonstrations, presentations, workshops, etc.
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Join an ISBA Affiliated beekeeping association or join the ISBA as a Member at Large.
The ISBA brings many benefits to its membership as well as supports and represents Illinois Beekeepers in Springfield. For a complete list of ISBA membership benefits, click here.
Participate in Local and State ISBA Meetings and Events - We encourage all beginning and veteran Beekeepers to actively participate in their local and state ISBA meetings and events. Many meetings include hands-on workshops and all provide information from experienced Beekeepers!
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Familiarize Yourself with the Honey Bee and Beekeeping Rules and Regulations of your State
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Not all communities allow the keeping of Honey Bees within their communities. It is important to understand this potential prior to introducing Honey Bees to your backyard or property.
Additionally, the State of Illinois requires all Beekeepers follow its rules and regulations as defined in the Bees and Apiaries Act and register their colonies with the Illinois Department of Agriculture within 10 days of starting a colony. |
Information on these programs can be found here. Please keep in mind these programs exist to assist you in maintaining healthy colonies of Honey Bees and to help prevent to spread of Honey Bee pests and diseases within areas of the state.
Should you require any additional information or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact any of the elected officers or representatives from a local ISBA affiliate association.
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